Apparatus for adjusting a dental device

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for fitting a dental device are provided in which an upper arch (12) receives a drive mechanism (16). Drive mechanism (16) is controlled by a controller (32). The drive mechanism (16) allows for translational adjustment of a post (18). Post (18) contacts a lower arch (14), thereby causing a user&#39;s lower jaw to extend forward. The post (18) is adjusted for maximum effectiveness in reducing snoring while maintaining comfort. The position of the post (18) is then recorded and a permanent dental device is made with a post in a corresponding position.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 08/435,277, filed May 5, 1995 and entitled "A Method of Fitting aDental Device," (As Amended) by W. Keith Thornton and Andrew O.Jamieson, now pending, which is a continuation application of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/218,719, filed Mar. 25, 1994 and entitled"Method and Apparatus for Adjusting a Dental Device," by W. KeithThornton and Andrew O. Jamieson, now abandoned.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/129,598, filed Sep. 29, 1993, and entitled APPARATUS FOR PREVENTIONOF SNORING AND IMPROVED BREATHING DURING SLEEP.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to medical devices, and moreparticularly to a method and apparatus for adjusting a dental device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snoring is a problem that plagues millions of people, and can be asignificant problem, as it often diminishes the quality of sleep of thesnorer. Moreover, snoring may be a symptom of a more serious sleep apneaproblem.

A technique that has been used to reduce or eliminate snoring involvesextending the lower jaw forward, so as to open the breathing passageway.For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,816, 5,003,994, and 5,092,346 disclosedevices that extend the lower jaw forward.

Extending the lower jaw forward will be successful in preventing orreducing snoring only if the lower jaw is extended far enough forward toopen the air passageway. However, the lower jaw must not be extended sofar forward that it is uncomfortable, as the snorer would not use adevice with that result.

Therefore, a need has arisen for a method and apparatus for adjustingand fitting a dental device that maximizes the opening of the airpassageway while maintaining comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method andapparatus for adjusting and fitting a dental device are provided whichsubstantially eliminate or reduce disadvantages and problems associatedwith prior art dental devices.

In particular, a dental device is provided which includes an upper arch.A post extends downward from the upper arch and is coupled to a drivemechanism. The drive mechanism is operable to translationally adjust thepost. The adjustment of the post can be performed by a dentalprofessional to insure effective reduction of snoring while maintainingcomfort. The position of the post is then recorded and a permanentdental device can be made with a post in a corresponding position.

In a particular embodiment, the drive mechanism includes a motor and astage coupled to the motor and to the post. The motor operates totranslationally adjust the stage. A controller may also be provided forcontrolling the motor, with the controller including a display of theposition of the post.

Furthermore, a method of fitting dental devices provided in which anupper arch is inserted into the user's mouth, the arch having adownwardly extending post. While the arch is in the user's mouth, thepost is adjusted to locate the user's jaw in a particular location.

In addition, the position of the post at which the user's jaw is locatedin the particular position can be recorded, and then a permanent dentaldevice can be fabricated, based on the recorded post position, such thatthe permanent dental device locates the user's lower jaw in theparticular location.

An important technical advantage of the present invention is the factthat a dental device can be adjusted and fitted such that the lower jawwill be maintained in an optimal position for reducing or preventingsnoring and for maintaining comfort for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like referencesnumbers indicate like features and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a dental device and drivemechanism according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom isometric view of a dental device and drivemechanism according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a dental device and drivemechanism according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of a drive mechanism according tothe teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment with a custom-fittedmouthpiece according to the teachings of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a permanent dental device constructed according tothe teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a dental device 10 according to the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 1, an upper arch 12 and a lower arch 14 areprovided. The upper arch 12 is inserted in a user's mouth, with theupper arch of teeth fitting in upper arch 12. Likewise, lower arch 14 isinserted in the user's mouth, with the lower arch of teeth fitting inlower arch 14. Upper arch 12 may fit over all or only some of the user'supper teeth. Likewise, lower arch 14 may fit over all or only some ofthe user's lower teeth.

A drive mechanism 16 slides into upper arch 12, and includes adownwardly extending post 18. The downwardly extending post 18 contactsthe lower arch 14, causing the user's lower jaw to extend forward. In aclinical setting, a dental professional uses drive mechanism 16 totranslationally adjust post 18 such that the lower jaw of the user isadjusted. By adjusting the position of lower jaw 14, the dentalprofessional can determine the optimal position for the post 18.

For example, a dental professional can adjust the position of post 18 sothat the user's lower jaw is extended to the furthest position forwardthat is still comfortable. Once this position is reached, the positionof the post 18 is recorded and a permanent dental device is manufacturedwith a post positioned according to the results of the clinical test.Similarly, the device shown in FIG. 1 can be used on a sleeping patient,with the post 18 adjusted until snoring stops.

As shown in FIG. 1, drive mechanism 16 includes a platform 20. Slidingwithin platform 20 is a stage 22 on which is mounted a motor 24. Motor24 may be a motor such as an ACE R/C import special 380 motor. Motor 24is mounted to stage 22 with screws 26. The motor's circular shaft 28allows for translational adjustment of post 18.

Zero-setting screw 30 is used to adjust the location of post 18 to aknown location before adjusting it within the user's mouth. Inoperation, zero-setting screw 30 moves the location of stage 22 andmotor 24, and therefore post 18, to a known zero position. Then, whenthe post 18 is adjusted in the user's mouth through the use of motor 24,the relative distance that post 18 has moved can be measured. Otherzero-setting mechanisms may also be used without departing from theintended scope of the present invention.

A control unit 32 is used to drive motor 24. Control unit 32 includes adial 34 for turning the motor. A display 36 displays the distance thatthe post 18 has traveled as dial 34 is turned. Motor 24 isbi-directional, and thus dial 34 allows for forward and backwardpositioning of post 18. Once the post 18 is in the zero position, zerobutton 38 may be depressed to reset the display 36.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of upper arch 12 and drive mechanism16. As shown in FIG. 2, the platform 20 is inserted into slot 42 ofupper arch 12. Once inserted and in the user's mouth, the motor 24 isdriven so as to translationally adjust post 18. As shown in FIG. 2, post18 is connected to a stage 44. Stage 44 is coupled to pin 46 throughslot 48. The pin 46 resides on the perimeter of circular shaft 28 ofmotor 24.

In operation, the pin 46 rotates on the perimeter of circular shaft 28.As pin 46 rotates, it forces stage 44, and therefore post 18, to move inand out. This movement can be minutely controlled by controller 32. Asdiscussed above, a dental professional can carefully adjust the positionof post 18 to the most effective yet comfortable position. The relativemovement of post 18 can be measured through use of scale 50. Scale 50may be incremented, for example, in millimeters. The line 52 on stage 44can be used, with scale 50, to determine how far the post 18 is moved.Similarly, as discussed above, the display 36 of controller 32 may beused to determine the position of post 18.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention inwhich the upper arch 12 and the drive mechanism 16 are integrallyformed, and thus drive mechanism 16 cannot be removed from arch 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of drive mechanism 16. As shown inFIG. 4, stages 22 and 44 slide within platform 20. The stages 22 and 44are bevelled so as to dovetail within stage 22. Stage 22 slides inresponse to zero-setting screw 30. By adjusting zero-setting screw 30,stage 22 and motor 24 are translationally moved. Furthermore, thistranslational movement of stage 22 moves stage 44 and post 18, since pin46 resides within slot 48 of stage 44. Once the zero-setting has beenperformed, then the motor 24 can be used to adjust the post 18. Asdiscussed above, as circular shaft 28 turns, pin 46 causes stage 44, andtherefore post 18, to move backwards and forwards.

As shown in FIG. 4, the post 18 is bonded to stage 44. In a preferredembodiment, the shape of post 18 conforms to the shape of the post thatwill be used in the permanent device fabricated based on the positioningperformed with drive mechanism 16. The material of post 18 shown in FIG.4 may be any material suitable for dental usage.

The platform 20, stage 22, stage 44, and zero-setting screw 30 may bemade of a metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel. Other materialsmay also be used without departing from the intended scope of thepresent invention.

The particular drive mechanism shown and discussed above is exemplaryonly. Other mechanisms may also be used to adjust the post 18 withoutdeparting from the teachings herein.

The upper and lower arches 12 and 14 shown in FIG. 1 may be made fromany material suitable for dental uses, such as methylmethacrylate or apolycarbonate resin thermo plastic such as that sold under theregistered trademark LEXAN. Such materials are known to those familiarwith dental mouthpieces, and other materials may be used withoutdeparting from the intended scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, upper and lower arches 12 and 14 may include adeformable material 51. Deformable material 51 is bonded to the upperand lower arches 12 and 14 and used for forming a mold of the user'steeth for proper fitting. A suitable material for deformable material 51is the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin sold under the registeredtrademark ELVAX. Any other suitable deformable materials may also beused. Typically, with a material such as ELVAX, the material 51 isheated to a temperature of about 150 degrees Fahrenheit, through amicrowave oven or by heating in hot water, for example, so as to placethe material 51 in its deformable state. A user then inserts the archesand bites down, thereby deforming the material 51 into the shape of theuser's teeth. The arches are then removed and allowed to cool, therebysetting the material into a mold of the user's teeth.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention inwhich a customized dental mold of the user's teeth are first made beforeusing drive mechanism 16. As shown in FIG. 5, upper arch 52 and lowerarch 54 are provided, which are custom made to the user's teeth. Suchmolds may be made by dental professionals. Upper arch 52 includes a slot56 in which drive mechanism 16 is inserted. The techniques used tolocate the appropriate position for post 18 are then performed asdiscussed above in connection with FIG. 1-4.

The present invention may also be used without lower arches. With suchembodiments, the post 18 causes the lower jaw to extend by coming intocontact with the bottom teeth and gums.

Once the optimal position of post 18 has been located, a permanentdental device is fabricated with a post 18 permanently positioned so asto locate the lower jaw in the position determined through use of drivemechanism 16. The post is positioned, in the permanent device, based onthe measurements taken when adjusting post 18. FIG. 6 illustrates such apermanent dental device. As shown in FIG. 6, upper arch 58 and lowerarch 60 are formed. Furthermore, upper arch 58 is formed with post 62positioned according to the results of the fitting performed with drivemechanism 16. The particular embodiment shown in FIG. 6 shows a custommade mold of the user's teeth. It should be understood that other molds,similar to those shown in FIG. 1, with a deformable material, may alsobe used. With such an embodiment, the post is permanently affixed in theappropriate location, and the user can then self-customize the upper andlower arches.

The lower arch 54 shown in FIG. 5 need not be remade for the finaldevice shown in FIG. 6. Thus, for the customized embodiment, only onebottom arch need be made. Furthermore, the customized bottom arch shownin FIGS. 5 and 6 may be made and used in connection with the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

As another use for the drive mechanism 16, and particularly inconnection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the drive mechanism mayremain inserted with the upper arch while the user sleeps in hisday-to-day life. If he begins to snore, his companion may, throughcontroller 32, adjust the position of the post 18 so as to reduce orprevent snoring.

In summary, a method and apparatus for adjusting and fitting a dentaldevice for preventing snoring are provided in which a downwardlyextending post may be adjusted for maximum effectiveness and comfort.Once this position of maximum comfort and effectiveness is determined,it is measured and a more permanent dental device is fabricated with adownwardly extending post located according to the measured position.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood the various changes, substitutions, andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dental device, comprising:an upper arch; a postextending downward from the upper arch; and a drive mechanism coupled tosaid post and operable to translationally adjust the post, the drivemechanism comprising:a motor; and a stage coupled to the motor and tothe post, the motor operable to translationally adjust the stage.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling themotor, the controller including a display of the position of the post.3. The device of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism further comprisesa zero-setting mechanism operable to translationally adjust the post toa known position.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the zero-settingmechanism comprises a screw operable to translationally adjust the postto a known position.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the drivemechanism further comprises a scale operable to measure the relativeposition of the post.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising aplatform, the post being slidably engaged with the platform.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein the platform is formed integrally with theupper arch.
 8. The device of claim 6, wherein the platform slidablyengages with the upper arch.
 9. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a lower arch, the post contacting the lower arch to cause auser's lower jaw to extend forward relative to the user.